29 Opening Day Starters

March 28, 2013 7:17 AM

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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MATT CAIN (2013) Cain is the 29th San Francisco Giants pitcher to receive the honor of Opening Day starter. History is on his side. The SF Giants have played the Dodgers 11 times to start the season with a 7-4 record. less

MATT CAIN (2013) Cain is the 29th San Francisco Giants pitcher to receive the honor of Opening Day starter. History is on his side. The SF Giants have played the Dodgers 11 times to start the season with a 7-4 ... more

TIM LINCECUM (2009-2012) Giants starter Tim Lincecum on April 7, 2009, when his first Opening Day start resulted in a 10-6 win over the Brewers. Lincecum's four starts are the second most in San Francisco Giants history. less

TIM LINCECUM (2009-2012) Giants starter Tim Lincecum on April 7, 2009, when his first Opening Day start resulted in a 10-6 win over the Brewers. Lincecum's four starts are the second most in San Francisco ... more

BARRY ZITO (2007-2008): Zito's redemption became complete with his rock solid performance during the 2012 World Series run. But his Opening Day history is bleak -- as seen here in a 2007 shutout loss against the Padres. The Giants lost by a combined 12-0 score in Zito's two starts. less

BARRY ZITO (2007-2008):
Zito's redemption became complete with his rock solid performance during the 2012 World Series run. But his Opening Day history is bleak -- as seen here in a 2007 shutout loss against ... more

JASON SCHMIDT (2005-2006) Schmidt's best three seasons as a big leaguer came between 2002 and 2004 with the Giants, and he was rewarded with two Opening Day starts. Photo taken April 5, 2005 during an Opening Day 4-2 win against the Dodgers -- Schmidt finished with 12 strikeouts. less

JASON SCHMIDT (2005-2006) Schmidt's best three seasons as a big leaguer came between 2002 and 2004 with the Giants, and he was rewarded with two Opening Day starts. Photo taken April 5, 2005 during an Opening ... more

KIRK REUTER (2003-2004): Reuter isn't remembered as a No. 1 starter, with a lifetime 4.27 ERA and 818 strikeouts in 1918 innings -- mostly with the Giants. But the pair of Opening Day starts weren't charity. All he did was win for SF, compiling a 130-92 record over his career. less

KIRK REUTER (2003-2004): Reuter isn't remembered as a No. 1 starter, with a lifetime 4.27 ERA and 818 strikeouts in 1918 innings -- mostly with the Giants. But the pair of Opening Day starts weren't charity. ... more

LIVAN HERNANDEZ (2000-2002): Hernandez switched teams 11 times in 17 years as a major leaguer and his three and a half years with the Giants was his longest tenure. Hernandez was 12-16 in 2002, but the other pitchers stepped up during the team's National League championship year. less

LIVAN HERNANDEZ (2000-2002): Hernandez switched teams 11 times in 17 years as a major leaguer and his three and a half years with the Giants was his longest tenure. Hernandez was 12-16 in 2002, but the other ... more

MARK GARDNER (1997, 1999): A journeyman who didn't make his major league debut until age 27, Gardner had his greatest success as a Giant in the latter part of his 30s. His ERA was in the 4.50 range over five years, but he won 11 or more games four times. less

MARK GARDNER (1997, 1999): A journeyman who didn't make his major league debut until age 27, Gardner had his greatest success as a Giant in the latter part of his 30s. His ERA was in the 4.50 range over five ... more

SEAN ESTES (1998): Remembered for his inconsistency as a San Francisco player, Estes more than deserved his Opening Day start. It came after his best season as a major leaguer in 1997 -- finishing 19-5 with a 3.18 earned run average. less

SEAN ESTES (1998): Remembered for his inconsistency as a San Francisco player, Estes more than deserved his Opening Day start. It came after his best season as a major leaguer in 1997 -- finishing 19-5 with a ... more

Photo: CARLOS AVILA GONZALEZ, PHOTOG AND SOURCE

SEAN ESTES (1998): Remembered for his inconsistency as a San... Photo-4388224.59230 - StamfordAdvocate

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MARK LEITER (1996): I'm a Giants fan, and barely remember Leiter, who pitched 53 starts with the team between 1995 and 1996. This was one of the worst Giants seasons for a Opening Day starter -- he finished 4-10 with a 5.19 earned run average, and was traded to Montreal the next season. less

MARK LEITER (1996): I'm a Giants fan, and barely remember Leiter, who pitched 53 starts with the team between 1995 and 1996. This was one of the worst Giants seasons for a Opening Day starter -- he finished ... more

TERRY MULHOLLAND (1995): Another journeyman, Mulholland was moved 13 times over a 20-year career that ended at age 43. His Opening Day start came during his middle of three stints with the Giants. He had a 5.80 earned run average and was traded the next year to the Phillies. less

TERRY MULHOLLAND (1995): Another journeyman, Mulholland was moved 13 times over a 20-year career that ended at age 43. His Opening Day start came during his middle of three stints with the Giants. He had a 5.80 ... more

JOHN BURKETT (1991, 1993 and 1994): Burkett's in my Top 3 all-time underrated Giants starters. And like Schmidt and Gardner, he had by far his best years in the black and orange. Shown here in 1990, Burkett was the Giants' ace during their mini-surge in the early 1990s. less

JOHN BURKETT (1991, 1993 and 1994): Burkett's in my Top 3 all-time underrated Giants starters. And like Schmidt and Gardner, he had by far his best years in the black and orange. Shown here in 1990, Burkett was ... more

BILL SWIFT (1992): Swift slides into home in a win over the Phillies. As much as Swift excelled (when healthy) on the mound with the Giants, I remember him as one of the best of several excellent hitting pitchers in that era. Don Robinson was also fun to watch at the plate. less

BILL SWIFT (1992): Swift slides into home in a win over the Phillies. As much as Swift excelled (when healthy) on the mound with the Giants, I remember him as one of the best of several excellent hitting ... more

Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice, The Chronicle

BILL SWIFT (1992): Swift slides into home in a win over the... Photo-4388228.59230 - StamfordAdvocate

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RICK REUSCHEL (1989-1990): I was still in my teens when Reuschel joined the Giants, and I distinctly remember marveling that every male teacher in the Burlingame High math department looked like a much better athlete than the Giants' ace. Big Daddy was 44-30 with the Giants. less

RICK REUSCHEL (1989-1990): I was still in my teens when Reuschel joined the Giants, and I distinctly remember marveling that every male teacher in the Burlingame High math department looked like a much better ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

RICK REUSCHEL (1989-1990): I was still in my teens when Reuschel... Photo-4388229.59230 - StamfordAdvocate

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DAVE DRAVECKY (1988): Dravecky is pictured here on August 8, 1989, two days before his incredible comeback after a cancer diagnosis. He seems calm in the photo, lounging with his wife Jan while watching his children play in a Giants family softball game. less

DAVE DRAVECKY (1988): Dravecky is pictured here on August 8, 1989, two days before his incredible comeback after a cancer diagnosis. He seems calm in the photo, lounging with his wife Jan while watching his ... more

MIKE KRUKOW (1983, 1986 and 1987): Anyone who thinks Krukow's bleeding-Giants-orange gamer talk is a ruse can come look at our photo archives. He seems to me tipping his cap to fans in every other photo. Krukow salutes after a complete game win over Pittsburgh on May 14, 1985. less

MIKE KRUKOW (1983, 1986 and 1987): Anyone who thinks Krukow's bleeding-Giants-orange gamer talk is a ruse can come look at our photo archives. He seems to me tipping his cap to fans in every other photo. Krukow ... more

ATLEE HAMMAKER (1985): I know a lot of fans remember Hammaker for disappointing moments, but he was a solid Giants contributor for seven years -- with his ERA climbing above 4 only one. In the photo, he leaves Candlestick Park the night before an October 1987 playoff start. less

ATLEE HAMMAKER (1985): I know a lot of fans remember Hammaker for disappointing moments, but he was a solid Giants contributor for seven years -- with his ERA climbing above 4 only one. In the photo, he leaves ... more

MARK DAVIS (1984): Giants pitcher Mark Davis pitches a shutout against the Dodgers in 1983 (left), and wears a string tie and saddle shoes in some kind of a 1980s fashion shoot (right). He had mixed results in five years as a Giants starter and reliever. less

MARK DAVIS (1984): Giants pitcher Mark Davis pitches a shutout against the Dodgers in 1983 (left), and wears a string tie and saddle shoes in some kind of a 1980s fashion shoot (right). He had mixed results in ... more

AL HOLLAND (1982): The career reliever only started 10 games with the Giants -- and 11 in his life. But he still deserves this honor based on the amazing mustache, and Capone jacket. (According to the caption on the AP photo, Holland refused to explain the meaning.) less

AL HOLLAND (1982): The career reliever only started 10 games with the Giants -- and 11 in his life. But he still deserves this honor based on the amazing mustache, and Capone jacket. (According to the caption ... more

Photo: Associated Press

AL HOLLAND (1982): The career reliever only started 10 games with... Photo-4388234.59230 - StamfordAdvocate

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VIDA BLUE (1979, 1981): Blue also pitched two Opening Days for the Oakland A's, winning one of losing one for each team. He was 31 by the time this photo was taken in 1981, but still able to contort his body into his patently pretzel cannon. I suspect he can still do it at age 63 ... less

VIDA BLUE (1979, 1981): Blue also pitched two Opening Days for the Oakland A's, winning one of losing one for each team. He was 31 by the time this photo was taken in 1981, but still able to contort his body ... more

BOB KNEPPER (1980) Giants pitcher Bob Knepper is pulled after Dusty Baker hits a grand slam in an Aug. 10, 1979 win over the Giants. Knepper was 17-11 with 6 shutouts for the Giants in 1978, but was a bust in 1980. He was traded to Houston, where he became an ace for several years. less

BOB KNEPPER (1980) Giants pitcher Bob Knepper is pulled after Dusty Baker hits a grand slam in an Aug. 10, 1979 win over the Giants. Knepper was 17-11 with 6 shutouts for the Giants in 1978, but was a bust in ... more

JOHN MONTEFUSCO (1976-1978): With his excellent nickname (The Count) and mushroom cloud of curly hair spilling from his hat, Montefusco was a fan favorite in his seven years with the Giants. Shown here with the legend Joe DiMaggio before a 1978 game. less

JOHN MONTEFUSCO (1976-1978): With his excellent nickname (The Count) and mushroom cloud of curly hair spilling from his hat, Montefusco was a fan favorite in his seven years with the Giants. Shown here with the ... more

JIM BARR (1975): Barr is another underrated Giant, playing 10 of his 12 steady years with the club, mostly as a starter. His one Opening Day start was a success -- a 2-0 shutout over the San Diego Padres. He finished that season with a 3.06 ERA, but still lost 14 games. less

JIM BARR (1975): Barr is another underrated Giant, playing 10 of his 12 steady years with the club, mostly as a starter. His one Opening Day start was a success -- a 2-0 shutout over the San Diego Padres. He ... more

TOM BRADLEY (1974): He played seven years in the majors, and based on our photos never took off his shades. After beating the Houston Astros 5-1 on Opening Day at Candlestick Park (this photo was taken in the aftermath), Bradley finished the season with a 5.19 earned run average. less

TOM BRADLEY (1974): He played seven years in the majors, and based on our photos never took off his shades. After beating the Houston Astros 5-1 on Opening Day at Candlestick Park (this photo was taken in the ... more

Photo: Peter Breinig, The Chronicle

TOM BRADLEY (1974): He played seven years in the majors, and based... Photo-4388239.59230 - StamfordAdvocate

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JUAN MARICHAL (1962, 1964-69, 1971-73): Shown here in 1965, in the middle of his amazing run as a Giants Opening Day ace. In addition to his other accomplishments, Marichal was 7-3 in Opening Day starts, and one of the losses was a 1-0 complete game loss to the Pirates in 1965. less

JUAN MARICHAL (1962, 1964-69, 1971-73): Shown here in 1965, in the middle of his amazing run as a Giants Opening Day ace. In addition to his other accomplishments, Marichal was 7-3 in Opening Day starts, and ... more

GAYLORD PERRY (1970): Shown here in 1968 on a dugout phone that looked exactly the same in 2012. Hall of Famer Perry won 134 of his 314 games with the Giants -- but only made one Opening Day start (a loss to the Astros at Candlestick Park) because of the greatness of Marichal. less

GAYLORD PERRY (1970): Shown here in 1968 on a dugout phone that looked exactly the same in 2012. Hall of Famer Perry won 134 of his 314 games with the Giants -- but only made one Opening Day start (a loss to ... more

JACK SANFORD (1963): Sanford, shown here with manager Alvin Dark, won 24 games in 1962, leading the Giants to the World Series against the Yankees. He celebrates his Game 2 win here, but lost Game 7 to Ralph Terry in a 1-0 shutout. less

JACK SANFORD (1963): Sanford, shown here with manager Alvin Dark, won 24 games in 1962, leading the Giants to the World Series against the Yankees. He celebrates his Game 2 win here, but lost Game 7 to Ralph ... more

SAM JONES (1960-1961): Jones started his pitching career as a minor leaguer in the 1940s, and was a grizzled veteran when he reached the Giants. He was a standout in the early San Francisco years, winning 39 games in 1959 and 1960. less

SAM JONES (1960-1961): Jones started his pitching career as a minor leaguer in the 1940s, and was a grizzled veteran when he reached the Giants. He was a standout in the early San Francisco years, winning 39 ... more

Photo: Chronicle File, The Chronicle

SAM JONES (1960-1961): Jones started his pitching career as a minor... Photo-4388243.59230 - StamfordAdvocate

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JOHNNY ANTONELLI (1959): Giants pitcher Johnny Antonelli, shown here as a Chicago Cub, also pitched three Opening Days for the Giants in New York.

JOHNNY ANTONELLI (1959): Giants pitcher Johnny Antonelli, shown here as a Chicago Cub, also pitched three Opening Days for the Giants in New York.